Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology
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J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol. · Mar 2010
Intrapericardial ranolazine prolongs atrial refractory period and markedly reduces atrial fibrillation inducibility in the intact porcine heart.
Extensive experimental studies and clinical evidence (Metabolic Efficiency with Ranzolazine for Less Ischemia in Non-ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction-36 [MERLIN TIMI-36] trial) indicate potential antiarrhythmic efficacy of the antianginal agent ranolazine. Delivery of agents into the pericardial space allows high local concentrations to be maintained in close proximity to myocardial tissue while systemic effects are minimized. ⋯ IPC ranolazine exhibits striking atrial antiarrhythmic actions as evidenced by increases in refractoriness and in fibrillation inducibility without significantly altering mean arterial blood pressure. Ranolazine's effects on the atria appear to be more potent than those on the ventricles.